Bucky Irving In Elite Company
November 30th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Jayden Daniels or Bo Nix. Bo Nix or Jayden Daniels.
Everyone can identify the twin favorites to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Nix and Daniels are playing well under center for winning teams.
That goes a long way with the 50 Associated Press voters who will turn in their ballots within a few days of the end of the regular season.
Bucky Irving
As a long-time AP voter, I’m impressed with how the Broncos and Commanders are faring with rookie quarterbacks. Daniels appeared to be the clear Rookie of the Year favorite until Nix raised his game for a 7-5 Broncos team that has rebounded nicely from an 0-2 start.
In Tampa, there’s a dynamic fourth-round draft pick who is coming off his best pro game.
Whether he’s dodging a couple of defenders at the line of scrimmage or making cornerbacks looks silly after a reception, Bucky Irving appears poised to lead the Bucs on another late-season surge to the playoffs.
Don’t expect the 125th pick in the draft to vault ahead of Daniels or Nix for rookie honors. That’s not going to happen. He’s not a quarterback, yet Irving provides weekly juice for one of the league’s elite offenses.
Liam Coen has brought Irving along slowly — until now. It’s crunch time.
With six games remaining, the 5-6 Bucs have little margin for error.
Irving received a season-high 18 touches against the Giants, generating 151 yards from scrimmage on only 34 snaps. Heading into Carolina, Irving’s workload should only increase in the stretch run.
Why? He deserves it.
You go with your best players and at the moment, Bucky Irving is one of Tampa Bay’s best players. He’s averaging 5.9 yards on his 140 touches this season. The only backs with more touches and a better average are Derrick Henry (6.2), Jahmyr Gibbs (6.4) and Saquon Barkley (6.6).
How’s that for company?
Irving is providing a weekly highlight reel with his sharp jump cuts and field vision. He rarely runs in a straight line and he leads all rookie backs in rushing yards and touchdowns.
The kid can catch, too.
Irving has latched onto 32 of the 34 passes Baker Mayfield has sent his way. That 94.1 percent success rate is No. 1 in the league. No wonder Irving has rapidly gained the confidence of Mayfield, Todd Bowles and the Glazers.
Jason Licht might have whiffed on pass rushers in recent drafts, but he hit a home run with Irving. The former Oregon standout is soft-spoken. He prefers to do his talking on the field and right now, you can’t shut him up.
Irving played two years for the Ducks with Nix and despite Oregon’s success, some NFL scouts were concerned about Irving 5-foot-9 frame and his 4.55 clocking at the Combine.
When Irving lasted until the third day of the draft, the Bucs pounced.
While Rachaad White has value as a pass-catching back who can block, it’s become clear that Irving is the more gifted runner. Bowles isn’t easily impressed, especially with rookies, but Irving has captivated his head coach with his work ethic and natural skills.
It’s exciting to think about what No. 7 can do with more touches.
We’re about to find out.
Ira Kaufman Talks Panthers Matchup & Predictions, Options/Non-Options For Todd Bowles And Defensive Benchmarks; Shares Fresh Pro Football Hall Of Fame Insight & More
November 30th, 2024 at 9:41 am
Gotta admit it – I was openly pining for Ray Davis because of Coen’s familiarity with him at Kentucky. When the Bucs picked Bucky, I said “Bucky who?”. I’m happy to have been wrong.
November 30th, 2024 at 9:55 am
I saw Bucky play a lot during his final year of college and he was always explosive. I didn’t think he was the Bucs type of RB though due to his size. However, after learning about the man he is, I REALLY wanted them to take him. Now I am so happy he is a Buc! I hope he flourishes here and can stay relatively healthy (no more toe injuries); so he can enjoy a 10 year career with the team! BUCKY BUCKY BUCKY! GO Bucs!
November 30th, 2024 at 10:38 am
GO Bucky GO!
RUN Bucky RUN!
SCORE Bucky SCORE!
November 30th, 2024 at 10:54 am
What a sweet change to have a RB we’re all excited to see play and cheering for each week.
November 30th, 2024 at 10:54 am
i remember pre-draft saying there’s no way nix slips past payton…
but if he does we must grab him with our first pick…
i know it didn’t make sense with the baker extention…and people did come down on me for it on the site…
but the kid is good…and payton knew he was the perfect developmental project for him…he really landed in the right spot
November 30th, 2024 at 10:56 am
^^^
vanessa knows the bucky motto……….hell yeahhh !
November 30th, 2024 at 11:10 am
Bucky’s got juice!!
November 30th, 2024 at 11:17 am
The reasons Ira gives in the article are precisely why the head coach will tell the offensive coordinator to play Rachaad White even more. To confuse the opposition. Leave Bucky on the bench for critical situations. Now that’s the kind of situational football coich is known for.
November 30th, 2024 at 11:29 am
Love the kid! Hopefully he’ll be wowing us for years to come!
November 30th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Lt. Dan Says:
I was pining for Ray Davis because of Coen’s familiarity with him at KU. I’m happy to have been wrong.
^^^^
I agree. What’s worse is I’m a Duck. I knew Bucky. I didn’t think he’d be a good pro. Royce Freeeman, LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner … all better Oregon RB. Only Jonathon Stewart was a good pro.
November 30th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Bucky is Warrick Dunn the second. He could catch some down field like used to if they tried. Draft steal.
November 30th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
@ Dave Pear: What’s a “coich”?
November 30th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
Coaches have brought Bucky along perfectly imo….hence all the talk about how good he is and what a steal he was.
Since they’ve done a pretty good job so far shaping the run game, I’m going to trust the offensive coaches to continue to use him correctly to best benefit the TEAM!!
Go Buc Nasty Go
November 30th, 2024 at 3:09 pm
why did it take 11weeks to realize?
November 30th, 2024 at 4:45 pm
Broncos really have Payton on a very tight choke collar and leash to knock off the cheating. I’m rooting for Jayden Daniels. Bucs wouldn’t even be considered for that award cos of the politics and bias.
December 1st, 2024 at 12:50 am
Anyhony it’s his colloquialism for coach as in Coich Blowles
December 1st, 2024 at 12:54 am
Hopefully Coen will see that Mr Irving needs to tote the rock 20 times a game and about 5 receptions. Give him that he’ll crack 100 yards a game regularly. Let Tucker spell him and leave White as 3rd down back AND hopefully Pear Bear isn’t correct about them putting White in there to confuse people.
December 1st, 2024 at 4:37 am
I was one on here that didn’t think Bo was going to be as good as Caleb and others new in the draft. He proved me wrong. With that being said, it’s all about the fit too. He found his fit with the Broncos.
Loving Bucky and we are lucky to have him on our team! Scouts are not always perfect with their thinking. His frame is an advantage. Remember Scouts were discouraged with another guy years ago because he was skinny, didn’t have arm strength, and couldn’t improvise. That guy was Tom Brady.